Can I leave my 11 year old alone in airport for an hour?

[Lifoo]

Interested in what the other parents might think about this.

I live in a different country to my kids and regularly fly to Ireland to collect them and then bring them back to UK with me.

On the last trip it was just my 11 year old son travelling and as my plane had been delayed (communicated this with ex) she left my son in the airport by himself, siting that she had to attend a client meeting.

He ended up waiting by himself near security departure gates for an hour.

Thoughts?

which law is that? In Ireland then?

Again though, could you please link to this law?

I have no issue leaving my 11 year old sat alone while I nip to the loo, or allowing them to go into GAME while I go to m&s. I’ve also left them in swimming pools, they’ve been to the park etc on their own.

i would like to know which law I am contravening and what I would be charged with should I be arrested.

Which law is that? Details, please!

There is no law. Just guidance.

No, OP has a son. 🤣 Do you struggle with comprehension?

There’s no law in England stipulating min age child can be left. There are nspcc guidelines but it’s not legally binding. This event took place in Ireland in any event but can’t imagine they have a law stating 11 year olds need watching 24/7.
Very Normal for children to build independence by playing on park, walking home from school or going in local shop from late primary age then travel via public transport to secondary school and stay alone for an hour until a parent returns from work. Yr 7 around here meet friends in town for a milkshake in hols.
Not encouraging age appropriate independence isn’t healthy.

But we don’t know that the OP is a “dad”, the OP didn’t say that or make their sex know. Yes statistically it’s likely the OP is a dad, but it’s also possible they’re a woman who was in a sane-sex relationship with their ex.

True. I am assuming it is dad because it tends to be dad's that live abroad, and other parent is a woman. I might be wrong. But probably not.

I agree. That’s what I was hoping @Ponoka7 would clarify.

I’d see it the other way. Your son was there alone because, during the time you were supposed to be caring for him, you were on a delayed flight.

your ex had scheduled an appointment for a time she had no childcare responsibilities and then you expected her to manage your childcare responsibilities.

if the child was left alone and you disagree with that then Perhaps arrange for the child to be dropped at the airport a few hours after you predict you’ll be there, or arrange someone to be with them.

Seeing you quote me made me realise I’d made a Freudian typo 😂

”sane-sex”

Mine would have been fine.

The way this question was phrased, particularly the title, made me suspect that it was a father posting, hoping to get the child’s mother into trouble. Interesting in that context that he -or possibly she- has not returned now that a majority have said not ideal, but OK.

My kids have been flying Ryanair since they turned 16 have the rules changed in worrying now!

Two women? Not unheard of.

I assumed dad hoping lots on thread would agree risky and send to mum as a ‘gotcha’. But maybe wrong as seems very shortsighted as presumably response to that would be for dad to pick him up from her home at a set time incurring hotel and taxi costs and no flexibility if late.

I thought at first it was maybe a parent worrying about whether its ok or should be raised as an issue. Lack of response now, I think it is a parent that already raised it as an issue and wanted to throw it in the mothers face that she proritised work over her child and put him at risk! (she didn't. He was fine)

I would think an airport is safe place to wait. I can't think of anything that is very likely to go wrong, assuming the child knows to ask the staff for help, which I would expect most 11yo children to be able to do.

It is extraordinary on the Internet how many people speak with such conviction about topics they know little about!

My closest airport is known to be a hub for human trafficking, so my immediate response was absolutely not under any circumstances, but a Google led me to believe that the one you’re referring to is a minute fraction of the size - in which case I think a sensible 11yo should be fine, as long as they have a way to contact parents. The main thing is actually how he felt about it, was he uncomfortable?

Yep.

pp confidently stated it was “illegal” to leave an 11 year old alone in a public place.

clearly bullshit but then she doubled down with all the “after Jamie Bulger” crap.

might as well have just put FACT after it, cos we all know that makes any statement on the internet absolutely true.

No, I could not take such a huge risk.

Tell me about the risk?

And even that is pretty ambiguous.
What is 'a long period of time'? To me, an hour is not a long period, but might be to someone else.